There is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. We have been living in the information age for almost two decades. With internet access growing more and more people throughout the world, our access to raw information might be the highest ever in the history of the world.

A tsunami happens on the other side of the globe and we have reporters giving us updates on the damage and the number of people displaced from the flood waters, with hours if not minutes of it happening. We can send aid with a click from our mouse and donate some money to give aid to those who suffered from disasters like the tsunami or a large earth quake within days of the tragedy from happening.

And yet even with all of this connectedness, people might be feeling more and more alone and isolated from others. No matter how many friends they may have on Facebook, or followers they have on Instagram or on Twitter. We are being sucked into using technology so often that it can and sometimes does hurt building and strengthening relationships.

Jimi Hendrix said, “Knowledge speaks, Wisdom listens.” And something my vice principal in High School shared with me, I have taken to heart and applied to my life and my ministry over the years. He said, “You have one mouth, and two ears, Ryan, you should try to use them proportionately.” It was a nice way of asking me to be quieter in class. But it also hits upon that same truth, we need to be careful to listen to each other in real moments not just by checking in with people on their favorite social media platform.

I am not outright discouraging the use of technology in one’s life, because it is here to stay, but New Year’s is a good time to reflect on priorities, and things that might be wasting more time and effort with very little to reward or benefit. Maybe the manner in which we use or possibly overuse technology could be something to reflect on. So that our relationships grow and are as healthy as possible, versus just another like on Facebook, or on Instagram. Let us listen to each other, and take time to invest in one another, and see what the year 2019 has in store for us all.